Mapping and Zoning

Zoning

The Marine Protected Area is divided into zones with different environmental protection regimes and different activities are therefore permitted in each zone.

Zone A is the fully protected reserve and includes the stretch of sea immediately west of the Meloria Tower and Lighthouse. It is rectangular in shape and is delimited by the following vertex points with geographical coordinates:

Point Latitude Longitude
M 43° 33′ 40″ N 10° 11′ 20″ E
N 43° 33′ 40″ N 10° 12′ 50″ E
P 43° 32′ 10″ N 10° 12′ 50″ E
Q 43° 32′ 10″ N 10° 11′ 20″ E

Zone B is the general reserve and comprises the stretch of sea surrounding Zone A, extending for a stretch to the east of the alignment between the Tower and the Meloria Lighthouse; it is also approximately rectangular in shape, and is bounded by the junctions of the following vertex points with geographical coordinates:

Point Latitude Longitude
F 43° 33′ 55″ N 10° 09′ 40″ E
G 43° 33′ 55″ N 10° 13′ 30″ E
H 43° 32′ 00″ N 10° 13′ 30″ E
L 43° 32′ 00″ N 10° 09′ 40″ E

Zone B, for the sole purpose of carrying out commercial and recreational fishing, diving and guided underwater tours, is subdivided into sub-zones B1 and B2.

Sub-zone B1 is located in the easternmost portion of Zone B, and is delimited by the junctions of the following vertex points:

Point Latitude Longitude
M’ 43° 33′ 55” N 10° 11′ 20” E
M 43° 33′ 40″ N 10° 11′ 20” E
P 43° 32′ 10″ N 10° 12′ 50″ E
Q 43° 32′ 10″ N 10° 11′ 20″ E
Q’ 43° 32′ 00” N 10° 11′ 20” E
H 43° 32′ 00” N 10° 13′ 30” E
G 43° 33′ 55” N 10° 13′ 30” E

 

Sub-zone B2 is located in the westernmost portion of Zone B, and is delimited by the junctions of the following points:

Point Latitude Longitude
F 43° 33′ 55″ N 10° 09′ 40″ E
M’ 43° 33′ 55″ N 10° 11′ 20″ E
Q’ 43° 32′ 00″ N 10° 11′ 20″ E
L 43° 32′ 00″ N 10° 09′ 40″ E

 

Zone B is also subdivided into sub-zone B3, located within sub-zone B1; it was established in 2016 for free sailing and recreational fishing for residents of the local municipalities (Livorno, Pisa and Collesalvetti) and for guided tours in the area to the east near the Torre and Faro outcrops. It is the smallest of the sub-zones in Zone B and has a quadrilateral shape delimited by the junctions of the following vertex points:

 

Point Latitude Longitude
X 43° 32′ 58.9” N 10° 12′ 59.69” E
Y 43° 32′ 59” N 10° 13′ 30” E
Z 43° 32′ 42” N 10° 13′ 30” E
W 43° 32′ 41.9” N 10° 12′ 59.68” E

 

Zone C is the partial reserve (or general protection reserve) and consists of the outermost part, comprising the remaining stretch of sea within the perimeter of the marine protected area; it is the part with the greatest number of permitted activities and is delimited by the junctions of the following geographical coordinates:

 

Point Latitude Longitude
A 43° 36′ 45” N 10° 07′ 00” E
B 43° 36′ 45” N 10° 12′ 20” E
C 43° 35′ 05” N 10° 14′ 20” E
D 43° 32′ 06” N 10° 14′ 20” E
E 43° 30′ 58” N 10° 07′ 00” E

 

The geographical coordinates indicated refer to the World Geodetic System WGS 84.

 

You can view the perimeter of the MPA and the three zones in the Interactive Map:

full screen view

Downloadable MAPS AND CARTOGRAPHY: